Taras Properties submitted a 28-day notice informing the council of its intention to knock down the empty movie theatre.

Taras did not have to apply for permission to tear it down, but the council does have a limited say in how the 1930s building will be demolished.

On Monday Kath Lawless, Newcastle City Council’s assistant director of planning, wrote to Taras confirming the plan has been approved and demolition can go ahead.

The whole process is expected to take 46 weeks. Ian Parker, of Bilfinger GVA - who represent Motcomb - confirmed on Tuesday, November 1, that the project is in its earliest stages. Work will not start for a few weeks.

“It won’t be until the end of the month,” he said.

“Even then it will be internal preparation work.

“There will be no real ‘demolition’ until next year.”

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A petition begging for the cinema to be saved has been signed by more than 1,700 people, while objections have been filed by the Newcastle and Northumberland Society, and the National Cinema Theatre Association.

As the cinema - which closed in 2002 - is not listed, the council can not object to the demolition in principal.

The picturehouse - which opened as the Paramount in 1931 before Odeon took it over in 1939 - is owned by Motcomb Estates. It is being torn down to kick-start a regeneration project in Pilgrim Street. The council, which has been consulting with Motcomb, is believed to favour an extension of Northumberland Street’s retail zone down to Market Street.